Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-TwoFor the next few days, Lana avoided Damien like the plague. If he so badly did not want her around, then he'd get his wish."She almost ruined my life!""Screw you, Damien." Lana muttered to herself angrily, "My life was almost ruined as well by being your wife for three good years."She was in her office, going through some files on her table and could not just concentrate on things. Her head was filled with thoughts of the discussion that had happened in Damien study. Zaire was Damien's half brother?No matter how much she tried to piece it together, she could still not wrap her head around it. They looked so different.Zaire definitely did not look like a Romero. The Romeros had light skin, light colored hair and light colored eyes. Zaire's hair was as dark as sin, and his eyes were the darker shade of Emerald.He must have taken after his mother.But still...Did Laura really throw them out? Lana's heart tugged painfully as she chewed her bott
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-Three"What?" Lana exclaimed, in disbelief, staring at the phone on the dashboard."Uhh...I did not know you were there, Miss Lana." Liam replied, "Anyways, what do I do now? Should I send them after her or let her go?"This question was obviously for Damien, but Lana was pissed that Liam was even asking such questions."What do you mean, what do you do now?" She inquired hotly, "Why was she even let out in the first place?""Let her go." Damien uttered. He'd been quiet all along, the only reaction he gave to the news about Rina vern released was a slight furrow of his brows in deep thought. Lana whirled on him at that moment, "Let her go?!" She said fiercely, giving him a flaming look, "What the hell are you talking about? She's supposed to rot in that cell!""We've not turned in the recording we have over to the police." Damien informed her calmly, "There are some things that I want to get down to the root of as well. Besides, she might lead us to Zai
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-FourThe hall of the Crown Crest hotel was filled with well dressed aristocrats and the creme de la creme of society.The hall was well lit and decorated beautifully. The soft sound of classical music could be heard, as the guests milled about enjoying the party and conversing with each other.It was the Queen's Glamour And Festival Awards and everyone was so looking forward to the main event of the evening.The guests mainly consists of designers from the various fashion companies in the cities and across. The awards to be given sat on raised pedestals, concealed in glass boxes.They were made with gold and extremely beautiful. The awards also came with monetary gift and sponsorship to the designer, as well as to the fashion company the designer is contracted with.That's if they are working under a company.The most wonderful part of the award was that, the winner gets to design the Queens outfits for a whole year. This is a great privilege for any desi
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-FiveHer face lit up with joy as she saw Clarissa running towards her. The two women rushed into each other's embrace, squealing happily."Clarrisa, what are you doing here?" Lana asked, her eyes roving over her friend's face. "Oh, I was invited," Clarissa said excitedly, then made a curtsy, "As the acting CEO of ALLURE, of course I have to attend the Queen's Glamour And Festival Awards. Besides, I wouldn't miss this for nothing. I see what you're doing with MAGIC and I have to come celebrate with you!"Lana smiled and gave Clarissa another crushing hug. It was not even up to half a year that she left emerald city, and she had missed her best friend so badly.Clarissa returned the hug, then her eyes drifted to Damien who was watching them. He gave her a tiny nod of his head in acknowledgement.Clarissa's smile faded and she disengaged from the hug, looking to Lana for explanation.Lana saw her knowing look, and said, "Oh never mind, he's with me.""When
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty SixThe cheering and applause continued as the queen mounted the platform and walked towards the MC.She was a woman in her mid-forties, but looked very much like someone in her twenties. She was elegantly dressed in a white, fashionable frock.She carried herself with a regal air, and even from across the room, she exuded power and authority.The MC handed the microphone over to the queen, and stepped back respectfully. "Thank you so much for joining me in this wonderful event tonight." Queen Elena began, "It is with great joy that I am able to..."Clarissa leaned in to whisper in Lana's ears, "So, when are you going to tell me all about it?""All about what?" Lana whispered back, although she knew what Clarissa was talking about.Clarissa was miffed, "Don't play dumb with me, Lana." She continued, "Tell me everything about how you got back with Damien.""Shhh," Lana shushed her, appalled by Clarissa's behavior, "I will but after the event is over."Tha
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-SevenThere was a unified gasp from the crowd, as Rina struck the trophy to the ground. She stood back proudly and smirked in satisfaction."No." Mandy said weakly as she dropped to her knees, and stared at the trophy in the floor. She looked absolutely crushed and Lana's face turned red with rage."Rina!"She yelled as she rushed up the steps of the platform, and hurried up to Mandy and Rina, followed by Clarissa and Vera.Damien stood back and called Liam, "Rina is here." He uttered, "I changed my mind. She will rot in jail from today. Send the recordings to the cops."He looked up in time to see Lana walked up to Rina, and delivered a hard slap to her face.He arched an eyebrow at that and chuckled slightly, as he started walking towards the platform. His woman can be really fiesty sometimes and he liked that."Are you out of your freaking mind?!" Lana screamed, as Rina stumbled back, shock etched on every part of her face.The crowd gasped in horror,
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-Eight"I am Muse."The crowd went wild at this calm revelation of Lana's. They inched closer to the platform to see more of this drama, even as everyone was staring at her Lana in shock.Everyone, but Clarissa was stunned by her revelation and the queen was speechless."You are...Muse?" Damien asked, turning Lana by the shoulders to look at him. His eyebrows arched in surprise and disbelief as Lana nodded."Hmm. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier," She said in response.Damien was dumbstruck. Lana was really something else. The woman whom he'd treated so badly years ago, turned out not to be just a heiress but also one of the most talented designers the country had known.This was the woman he'd almost let slip because of his foolishness, and now she was saving MAGIC.Shame flooded through him, just as Vera pushed her way through the crowd to Lana, her eyes shining brightly, "Lana, you're Muse?"she asked excitedly, "Oh my god, that's amazing! My daugh
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty NineThe queen managed to pick her jaw from off the floor and stared at Lana, "You are Muse?"Lana nodded politely in reply and the Queen laughed softly, a small and disbelieving laugh.This was the Muse who had refused to work with her?Anger surged through her, and she clenched the papers in her fist. However, before she could say anything, Lana uttered, "Your Majesty, I never knew you were in need of my services." She told the queen politely, "If I had known, there was no way I'd refuse to serve a great person like you.""What are you talking about?" The queen replied in an agitated voice, "You decided to keep yourself hidden, and only design for a select few. I tried to reach you through Ludovic, your agency, but you rejected me several times.""What?" Lana asked, interrupting the queen."What?" The queen asked, confused and pissed as well."No, you said something about Ludovic being Muse's agency." Lana inquired, "Ludovic was never my agency.""That
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-SixThe door to the sales office creaked loudly as Gary slowly pushed it open.He walked calmly into the office and came to a dead stop, as everyone turned to face him immediately.The Regional Head was standing with his legs apart in the office, and his hands clasped behind him, like some sort of military commander.Flanking him on both sides were the members of the internal audit team, looking as neatly pressed and put together, with not one hair out of place or a rumple in their clothes, as though they had not just finished a grueling three weeks task.A task that could have taken them three months, and had taken the original internal team a couple of years. The other employees in that office stood behind their desks, nervously clutching their hands and giving each other side looks.Their gazes flitted from the Regional Head to Noah and back to each other. The tension in the office was palpable and they could not wait to get past the suffocating mome
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FiveGary's eyes widened in alarm and they reddened in the next instant from fury."What the fuck!" He snarled, "Why am I the only one taking the fall? Are you fucking with me right now, Maya?!""Because that's the only way you can save your head! God, are you stupid or something?" She said, throwing up her hands in disgust, "I should have known better than to warn you. I'd have just let your head be blown off in the streets because you deserve it!"Gary scoffed, "That's freaking bullshit." He said, a tiny smirk curving his lips, "You don't scare me and neither does he! I'm calling his bluff."Maya laughed in disbelief, then slowly blinked in confusion as Gary puffed out his chest, tucking his hands deep in his pockets.He was really serious!Her jaw twitching with anger, she jabbed a finger in his shoulder, "Don't say I did not warn you," she snarled, "I'd like to see you so smug when you're six feet under."She stormed off, and Gary watched her, his ey
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty FourAs the internal audit raged on, everyone in the affected departments was on edge.The air was thick with tension.It clawed up people's throat and pressured them into seeking religion, making preparations in case they turned up unemployed...Everyone was on edge but no one more than Gary and Maya.They had no idea of the contents of the reports that Noah had drafted out for the regional head.But the rumors flying around the company claimed Noah had practically given the Regional Head everything he needed.It was said that the Regional Head already knew who the culprit was and was bidding his time because the culprit was a big fish.Gary knew he was no big fish but those rumors kept him awake for days, tossing and turning in bed with worry.His mind kept going over everything he did with the Deluxe products for the past three years, the precautions he was sure he took, the way he made sure nothing would point back to him..."But were they really eno
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-ThreeThe discovery of the siphoned goods and the part Noah played in the big reveal spread like wild fire across the company.Everyone marveled at how he was able to pull it off himself.It was said that the reports he provided made the internal audit to move more smoothly than ever.The audtors knew where to go, who to ask questions, what questions to ask based on what Noah had provided.This earned him considerable respect in his department as well as the company. The golden haired mystery man was not as dumb as every one thought he was.Infact, he was being accorded honor by the regional head, who made sure every thing was done to the letter, following Noah's instructions."We cannot misuse such valuable information. Its time to fish out those perpetrators and clease out Romero Solutions," The regional head had declared before he gave Noah a determined look, "If this turns out successful, headquarters will be really pleased with you, Noah."And that
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty-TwoThere was stunned silence in the Regional Head's office as Noah made that statement."Wh...what did you say?" The regjonal.head asked in shock and disbelief, "The batches for the deluxe products are being siphoned?! By who?"The regional Head voice was rising by the minute, and his hands curled into fists on his seat."I don't know about that, sir." Noah said, carefully choosing his words else he let something slip.He did not intend to reveal the one behind the crime, mainly because he did not know who the mastermind was.Secondly, he had no evidently of the ones he suspected. These little details will be brought to light when the Regional Manager sets the auditing team to work."When I noticed a pattern of weight discrepancies as well as other inconsistencies in the record, I had to check for myself." He continued but was stopped by Fred."What do you mean, inconsistencies?" The man asked, "What did you discover in the records?,""There were a lot
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty OneGary quickly rushed after her before she could get to the door and drew her back sharply."Hold on, you little bitch," He snarled as he accidentally grabbed her hair as well and pulled her back.Maya winced in pain as she felt strands of her hair being pulled from the scalp, "Ow!" She cried out in agony, "Let me go. At once!""Not until you explain what you mean by that little statement which you just uttered," Gary fired back heatedly."I meant exactly what I said, you piece of trash, " Maya said as she mustered her energy and stomped on his toe with her heeled foot."Ahh!" Gary cried out in anguish as pain exploded in his foot. He let go of her hair at once and doubled over in pain, trying to hold his throbbing toe but it was much too painful.Maya, seeing as she was free from his hold, turned back and stared at him in disdain, "You think I won't take protective measures for myself? You've got to be joking, Gary." She spat out, "You take care of an
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirty "Something of utmost importance?" The Regional Head repeated in puzzlement, "What could that be?"Maya's heart slammed in her chest as she heard Noah say those words. Franticaly, she glanced at Gary who had also gone a little pale.A look of terror passed between them and they immediately knew what the important news Noah had for the regional head was."Stop him!" Maya seemed to say with her eyes, glaring at Gary and making motions with her head towards Noah.She was so agitated that she could not stand still. She had been so eager to want to leave this place earlier but now she wouldn't leave for all the world.She had to stay to hear what Noah had to say to the Regional Head.Quick as flash, Gary stepped in between the Regional Head and Noah.Smiling nervously, he started speaking, "Regional Head sir, why don't you allow the Senior sales manager to take you to his office, while you wait for the reports on the audit?" He turned and nodded to Fred, who
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty Nine"Infact, these has got to be the best results I've ever seen in a while."Everyone stared in amazement at the Regional Head.He was giving Noah a warm and approving smile, while patting him heartily on the arm."You say they are the best reports that you've ever seen?" Fred asked as he stepped closer to the Regional Head."But that's inpossible," Gary uttered through gritted teeth, "He has no qualifications. How is he able to prepare the best reports you've ever seen?"Everyone almost groaned in annoyance at Gary's stupidity and shamelessness.Maya rolled her eyes and stomped her foot impatiently on the marble floor.It was bad enough to stand here like some kind of lackey, and watch the regional director do his job but now she had to listen with her heart in her mouth, hoping that Gary does not let any information slip."He talks too much," she thought angrily, biting her lower lip in annoyance, "if he dares to say anything concerning the deluxe pr
Chapter Two Hundred And Twenty EightJaws dropped in shock as Noah stepped out of the throng of employees and stood directly in front of the Regional head.Everyone was shocked at his boldness.This was a chance for him to make his escape and blame the superiors for giving him such an important task.He was not that learned nor did he have much qualifications. They knew that, yet he was still asked to prepare the reports in such a short time.Although he did not have much chance of defending himself, since he was a lower level employee, yet the Regional head was known to be fair to others not on his level.He hated any sort of unfair practice and he would definitely side with Noah if he revealed he had been pressured into making the reports.Yet, Noah had come out boldly, as if he was ready to take the fall, the consequences of making such sloppy reports."He's done for," Greg sighed in despair, watching Noah with pitiful eyes."He really is just a golden haired dumbass," Jason agreed